The Regional Science Centre, Bhopal (RSCB) is located in the Shyamla Hills area of

Bhopal Bhopal (; ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes'' due to its various natural and artificial lakes. It i ...

, India. It is aimed at popularizing science and technology among the people, particularly the students. It is one of the constituent units of the

National Council of Science Museums National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is an autonomous organisation under Indian Ministry of Culture. It is the largest chain of science centers or museums under a single administrative umbrella in the world. There are 24 own science cen ...

or NCSM. RSCB was inaugurated on 12 January 1995 by the then president of India

Shankar Dayal Sharma Shankar Dayal Sharma (; 19 August 1918 – 26 December 1999) was an Indian lawyer and politician from the state of Madhya Pradesh who served as the ninth President of India, from 1992 to 1997. Born in Bhopal, Sharma studied at Agra, Allahaba ...

. The Centre has been functioning in Bhopal since 1995 with the primary objective of popularization of Science & Technology, inculcation of scientific temper, and encouraging attitude of curiosity among the public in general and the students in particular. The Centre is the only Science Centre in the state of Madhya Pradesh (a central state of India). The Centre is visited by the general public and a large number of school & college students.

Exhibits and facilities

The Centre has over 266 science exhibits spanning across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Most of the exhibits are interactive. The 5-acre RSCB campus includes a 3-acre Science Park, which contains over 60 exhibits such as

pulley A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt, or transfer of power between the shaft and cable or belt. In the case of a pulley supported by a frame or shell that ...

demonstrations, a windmill and solar-powered devices. The campus also houses a small Dinosaur Park and a zoo. The Centre has a 200-seater auditorium and a 25-seater conference hall (both air conditioned). These are also available to the external groups for organizing relevant events, at a small charge. There is also a 50-seater AC hall, where the 3D Science Show is organised. RSCB has a small portable planetarium with an inflatable dome, with a capacity of 25 people. RSCB also has a Mobile Science Exhibition bus with 24 exhibits. This bus goes to the small towns and remote villages of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for creating scientific awareness through anti-superstition demonstrations, science-related films, sky observation and educational lectures. File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - Guitar.jpg , Visualizing Sound with a Guitar File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - Head on a Platter.jpg , "Head on a Platter" exhibit File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - Indira Sagar Power Station model.jpg , A model of the Indira Sagar Power Station File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - Infinite well.jpg , The "Infinite well" exhibit File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - Virtual Piano.jpg , Virtual piano File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - Paint your painting in different ways.jpg , The "Paint your painting in different ways" exhibit File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - kid - bicyclist skeleton.jpg , Moving skeleton of a bicyclist File:Regional Science Centre, Bhopal - bicyclist skeleton.JPG , Moving skeleton of a bicyclist

Events

A sky observation programme is organized on weekends after the sunset, as well as for specific astronomical events which occur from time to time. Awareness programs and exhibitions are organized on special days such as the

International Museum Day International Museum Day (IMD) is an international day held annually on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The event highlights a specific theme which changes every year reflecting a relevant theme or ...

and the No Tobacco Day. Student exhibits and

science fair Science and engineering fairs, hosted by schools worldwide, offer students the opportunity to experience the practices of science and engineering for themselves. In the United States, the Next Generation Science Standards makes experiencing the ...

s are also organized from time to time. Special lectures by scientists and professors are organized in celebration of commemorative days. Contests for students, film shows, awareness programmes, drama festivals, workshops and special exhibitions are also held to celebrate these days. Multi-day workshops are held for students during the summer vacations. RSCB also organizes a one-week training programme for teachers and the would-be teachers on fabrication of simple, low-cost teaching aids. Science demonstration lectures are organized on request by school groups. RSCB offers memberships to individuals, families, schools and other institutions: the members can participate in the various activities and programmes organized by the Centre.

References

{{City of Bhopal Science museums in India Children's museums in India Museums in Bhopal Science and technology in Bhopal Museums established in 1995 1995 establishments in Madhya Pradesh